Recognizing a Performance Plateau

No matter how successful we are, no matter how effective we are In any situation, the potential exists for a Performance Plateau. By Performance Plateau, I mean in the literal sense of the word plateau - stable or level plane of attainment or achievement. Although the term applies to any behavioral performance, work situation is the focus here. Some thing has been accomplished or a level of production has been achieved and sustained. But going beyond this point or hitting the next target seems stifled or unattainable-, even less than exciting. Plateaus in performance can be scarey and overwhelming. The desire is present. The opportunity may exist. Others believe in you, yet performance is less than that which is desired.

Is it not interesting that no matter how  successful we are, no matter how, effective we are with a particular situation, there can be a gridlock or a dead end which creeps into our achievement status? The gridlock can be a simple as boredom or as enormous as performance anxiety. When faced with this dilemma, there seems to be an inner Doberman Pincher growling, daring us to approach to the next objective. He nips at our creativity and corners our efforts. We may then whine at our inability to chase the beast away or hope that the next attempt will be the effort that changes our luck. Sometimes, we may even blame external factors. The boss or secretary is always a good target, unless, of course, it is your spouse.

Performance Plateaus are quite common, although we sometimes prefer to think that others are having it easier, doing more or struggling less. The tendency is to think that we will behave differently in a few days or just as soon as we correct external circumstances. Thinking in this way is a disaster in the making. Performance is driven by our subconscious programming; our beliefs. When a Performance Plateau is reached, it is the Cellular Response System (CRS) that must be altered, not external circumstances. The CRS contains the automatic reactions which repetitiously control our behavior. Our beliefs are the "bar" which must be broken, so to speak.

A belief cannot be quarantined in the subconscious and therefore disallowed as a part of our behavioral reactions and responses. It matters not whether    you   consider the belief as positive or negative, supportive or non-supportive. The "Peanuts" character, Linus, believes that he will hit the football this time. He believesthat Lucy will hold it properly this time. Of course, she never does and he subsequently is caught in a Performance Plateau-kicking to hit the football and once more missing his goal . Blaming Lucy does not alter the outcome for Linus. He can change his behavior only by changing his belief.

Peak performance can be attained when we identify and alter those subconscious beliefs which drive us. Looking at how we got to a particular point-, where we are now and what drove us here, can lead to the identification of beliefs which govern a Performance Plateau. Different. people react completely differently to the same stimuli. This means that in a Performance Plateau, each person must identify, for themselves, how and why they are where they are. Each must ask,
"How did I get here from there? What belief am I hanging on to that keeps me here?"

Reactions (behaviors) are driven by beliefs. They are also triggered by external circumstances.

Success, itself, can be a trigger for some. They  may react by locking themselves into a performance Plateau. For example, achievers can become hooked on success itself and when it does not continue as they believe it should, Auto-Reactions hinder further progress. Unless we see and change the Auto-Reaction which are hindering us, we may never find the piece of the puzzle which will bring us to the goal we seek.